Wrestling

What is freestyle wrestling?

In freestyle wrestling, the wrestler uses a series of moves against an opponent to score points and win the match.

How to wrestle

Wrestlers try to gain physical advantage over their opponent, and score points by putting the opponent in holds or pinning the opponent to the mat.

How to win

Wrestlers are awarded points for putting specific holds on an opponent. The first wrestler to earn six points, or the one who finishes the match with the most points, wins. A wrestler wins automatically if she is able to pin the opponent to the mat.

Equipment

Singlet – the wrestler’s skintight body suit
Shoes – wrestlers wear special shoes designed for competing on the mat
Mouth guard –protects the wrestler’s teeth from being knocked out
Jump rope – wrestlers often jump rope to warm up before wrestling

Sport lingo

Fireman’s carry – the wrestler goes under the opponent’s legs, grabs the legs and flips the opponent to the mat
Double – the wrester picks up and throws the opponent to the mat
Escape – the wrestler escapes from an opponent’s hold
Pin – one wrestler wins the match by holding the opposing wrestler’s shoulders to the mat
Period – a match usually consists of three 2-minute periods
Weight classes – wrestlers compete against others in the same weight class. The weight classes in American high school wrestling are 103 lb, 112 lb, 119 lb, 125 lb, 130 lb, 135 lb, 140 lb, 145 lb, 152 lb, 160 lb, 171 lb, 189 lb, 215 lb and 275 lb